Iran’s Supreme Leader makes first public appearance after reported bunker stay PHOTO

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public on July 5 for the first time in nearly a month, ending weeks of speculation about his whereabouts amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Khamenei took part in a religious ceremony commemorating Ashura, one of the most significant days in the Shiite Islamic calendar. The event was held at the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyah, a major cultural and religious centre in Tehran.

Footage from the ceremony showed the 85-year-old leader attending the mourning rituals, surrounded by clerics and security personnel. The IRNA caption accompanying the video read: “The moment the leader of the [Islamic] Revolution appeared at the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyah during the Ashura night mourning ceremony.”

Khamenei’s appearance comes after a 25-day absence from the public eye, during which foreign media speculated about his location and well-being. German newspaper Bild reported that the Iranian leader had been relocated to a fortified underground bunker shortly after Israeli airstrikes began in late June, citing security concerns.

The paper claimed that during this period, Khamenei released two pre-recorded video messages, both allegedly filmed from inside the bunker. Reports also suggested he was placed under the protection of an elite, highly secretive security unit.

The Iranian leadership has not officially commented on these claims. However, Khamenei’s public appearance may be aimed at dispelling rumours and projecting stability amid escalating regional tensions.

The latest spike in hostilities between Iran and Israel—marked by cyberattacks, covert operations, and military strikes—has raised fears of a broader conflict, with Tehran accusing Tel Aviv of targeting Iranian personnel and interests across the region.

By Vugar Khalilov